Ditching-machine



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. REIDHARD.

DITOHING'MAGHIHE.

' Patented Feb. 28,1882.

Y No. 254,376.

WITNESS S 1A" '2 Sheets-Sheet 2..

(No Model.) I

' J. REIDHARD.

DITGHING MACHINE.

N0. 254,376 W Patented Feb. 28,1882.

.flye, f

WITNESSES To all whom tt may concern:

UNITED STATES.

DITCHING- JOSEPH REIDHARD, OF OELINA, OHIO.

MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 254,376, dated February 2 8, 1882. Application filed August 10, 1881. (No model.)

Be it known that I, J osEPH REIDHARD, of Celina, in the county of Mercer and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ditching-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,

clear, and exact description of the invention,

which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section through the front axle with its standards and adjustable s'addle. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the front end of the dirt chute or elevator with its adjustable plow and appurtenances. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the discharge or unloading apparatus at the end of the chute, and Fig. 5 is a top view of the complete machine.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

My invention has relation to machines for digging ditches for drain-tile or for other purposes; and it consists in an improved construction and combination of parts of a machine of that class, as hereinafter more fully set forth, having for its object to produce a machine which can be built at comparatively small expense, be easily managed, and which is adapted to do quick and efficient work irrespective of the nature of the soil in which it is to be used.

In the annexed drawings, A represents the front axle of my machine, which has a tongue or pole, B, and wheels 0 C. It also has abolster, A, into which are mortised parallel uprights D D, connected by a cross-bar, D, at

top,upon whichisjournaled in suitablebearin gs a pinion, E, having a crank, E, which said pinion meshes with a rack, F, that slides through a slot in the cross-bar D, and is connected at its lower end, between the uprights or standards D D, to the yoke G of the saddle-beam G, the sides of which are grooved to slide upon the uprights D D.

H is a hinged pawl, which by engaging with notches in the back of the rack F serves to retain this and its saddle G G in its adjusted position. To the back of the axleA, is hinged or pivoted the balance-yoke I, the use of which will be hereinafter explained.

K is the hii1(laxle,whicli supports the frame L of the ditching apparatus proper. and has the driving-wheels M M, one of whirl] has two and the other one concentric spur-pulleys at the inner face, as shown respective'y at N, N, and N in the top view, Fig. 5.

O O are endless, chains which pass around the pulleys N and N and also around spun pulleys (shown at P P) at the outer ends of a drum, Q, which is journaled in the lower part of frame L, back of, its axle K, and supports the rear end of the endless carrier or chute apron 1%, which is provided with equidistant buckets R. The forward end of apron R R passes around another drum or shaft, S, in the forward end of the elevator-chute T, the rear end of which is hinged in the rear end of frame L upon bolts L.

U is the plow, the shape and construction of which will readily be understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings. It is made of iron, with an inclined share having a steel point, the parallel vertical sides of the plow forming rounded colters U, which are made with sharp steeledges. The forward end of the chute, with its apron, projects in between the flanged sides of the plow below its inclined share, where it is hinged by trunn'ions S, projecting from the ends of the drum S, between the sides of the plow, so that the latter may have a vibratory motion independent of the chute with its apron.

The elevation of the pointed plowshare is adjusted and maintained in its adjusted position by means of a bar, V, which projects up through a slotted bolster, V, secured at the rear end of the tongue L of frame L, which said tongue also supports the drivers seat L When the machine is in use the forward end of tongue L is inserted into the vertically-adjustable saddle G G, as shown in the drawings, that by elevating the saddle by means of the crank E and pinion E the forward end of frame L, with its chute and plow, is elevated proportionately, while it will be seen that the forward end or share-point of the plow may be adjusted independently of the chute, to which the plow is hinged, by the bar V, which is fixed in any given position, to keep the plow properly set, by a pin, V inserted through coinciding perforationsin the block or bolster V and bar V.

In order to equalize the draft or pull upon frame L and-the plow U, I employ a bifurcated arm, W, the forked end of which is pivoted in the sides or colters ot' the plow. while its outer end is hinged on a bail or clevis, W, which is pivoted in the lower end of the balance-yoke I. In the upper end of this yoke is in like .manner pivoted the outer link of a chain, X,

theinner end of which ist'astened in the under side of tongue L of frame L.

The dirt is discharged at the rear end of the chute T B into a receiver. Y, appended to the back part of the frame, in which is arranged a vertical revolving shaft, Z, having four horizontal arms, a, at its lower end. The shaft Z, which is inserted through suitable bearings in the rear end of frame L, has a pinion. b, at its upper end, which meshes with a worm or spi ml, 0, at the outer end of which is a spur-pulley, d, operated by the chain 0 from pulley N. The rotating arms a discharge the dirt sidewise from the receiver or platform Y out OWBI .I, connected at opposite ends to bar W and chain X, which said chain is fastened in the frame L, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing-as my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEPH REIDHARI).

Witnesses:

CHRISTOPHER GUSTAVE O'rrro MILLER, WILLIAM FREDERICK MILLER. 

